A09443:389
A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…
A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the Revelation. Preached in Cambridge by that reverend and judicious divine, master William Perkins, Ann. Dom. 1595. First published for the benefit of Gods Church, by Robert Hill, Bachelor of DivinityA godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the Reuelation. Preached in Cambridge by that reuerend and judicious diuine, maister William Perkins, Ann. Dom. 1595. First published for the benefit of Gods Church, by Robert Hill, Bachelor of Diuinitie
London: printed by Adam Islip for Cuthbert Burbie, 1606
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Hence we are taught, when we come into the presence of Christ, we must prostrate our selves as John did, and look that we be stricken with a religious fear of his majesty. If any shall think that Christ is now ascended into heaven, and therefore we cannot now fall down at his feet as John did. I answer, though Christ be now in heaven, yet hath he his feet upon earth, at which we must fall down. In the old testament the mercy-seat was the pledge of Gods presence: and therefore it is called Gods footstool, Psal. 99.5. before which the Jews were to fall down. Well, though the mercy-seat be now taken away, yet some thing is instead thereof: For wheresoever Gods people assemble themselves in the name of God, there is his footstool: and therefore in the assemblies of Gods saints we must cast down our selves before Christ Jesus, and do all duties unto him with all fear, awe, and reverence of his majesty.
Hence we are taught, when we come into the presence of Christ, we must prostrat our selues as Iohn did, and looke that we be striken with a religious feare of his maiestie. If any shall thinke that Christ is now ascended into heauen, and therefore we cannot now fall down at his feet as Iohn did. I answer, though Christ be now in heauen, yet hath he his feet vpon earth, at which we must fall downe. In the old testament the mercy-seat was the pledge of Gods presence: and therefore it is called Gods footestoole, Psal. 99.5. before which the Iewes were to fall downe. Well, though the mercy-seat be now taken away, yet some thing is instead thereof: For wheresoeuer Gods people assemble themselues in the name of God, there is his footstoole: and therfore in the assemblies of Gods saints we must cast downe our selues before Christ Iesus, and do all duties vnto him with all feare, awe, and reuerence of his maiestie.
This fear of John, though it was holy, yet is it tainted with some sin and corruption: for it was an immoderate fear of death which made him thus astonished and affright. Whence we learn that the most holy affections of righteous men are not perfectly holy, but mixed with imperfection according to the measure of their sanctification, which is always in part in this life. Whereby it appears that no man hath in him a filial fear of God alone, but some servile fear (whereby we fear God for his judgements) is mixed therewith. And thus much for Johns fear which is the occasion of his confirmation.